Antonia Eilander, MA LLM, is not your average international tax lawyer. She’s a pioneer at the crossroads of law, technology, and social impact — the visionary founder behind O2K.tech and the Crypto Tax Forum, and advisor to Fortune 500 companies and global tax authorities. With 17 years of experience in international taxation and crypto regulation, Antonia is literally rewriting the game’s rules.
In her exclusive interview for talaint by Human Recruiters®, Antonia takes us behind the scenes of her remarkable journey — from managing a summer ice cream store as a teen, to burning out after years of 80-hour workweeks, to leading blockchain-powered projects that aim to bank the unbanked and protect our environment. Candid, bold, and purpose-driven, she proves that the future of finance is not just digital — it’s deeply human.
What’s one fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
I bake cakes for kids as a hobby. I have written three sci-fi horror books but am too afraid to publish them.
What was your first job ever? How did it shape you?
I have worked for our family firms since I was 10 years old. It instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in me. My first job was as a seasonal summer manager of an ice cream store in the USA and an internship in Brussels dedicated to EU environmental law.
What’s the last thing you learned that really surprised you?
When a baby is born and cries for the first time, its heart is finally developed. Crying helps trigger the shift in blood flow and heart function, making it a critical part of the transition to life outside the womb. This causes those fetal heart shunts to close, and the baby’s circulation switches to the way it will work for the rest of life.
Can you share a mistake you made that ended up being a great learning experience?
I worked 60-80 hours a week for 3 years. I made a lot of money for the company I worked for, but it ruined my health and mental well-being. I had a burnout, a really heavy one with physical consequences. I always advise my interns never to work more than 50 hours a week. It is not worth it. No one gives you a medal for it.
What’s one professional achievement you’re most proud of and why?
Starting my own business 5 years ago when my 1st child was only 6 months old. Working while pregnant at the moment despite the morning sickness and other challenges. Starting your own business is a rollercoaster ride. You have very high highs and very low lows. The first 2 years were absolute sh-t. You invest a lot, money is tight, and you are not yet known on the market. But if you power through it, it gets better every year, and then you never have the fear- will I get fired with this budget cut or not? In fact, you can fire clients when they are naughty. 🙂
What’s one challenge in the industry right now that excites you to solve?
Tokenisation of assets. We have been asked to help tokenise yachts, real estate and other tangible assets. It is a complete torture from a legal perspective. But we don’t mind the challenge. “No guts, no glory has been my motto since I was 17.
What do you think is the next big trend in your industry?
Banking the unbanked. There are a lot of people in Africa and Asia who can’t have a bank account. Instead of cash or mobile phone payments, they will use crypto assets more and more to execute their business. There will be a chance for them to invest on a smaller scale and earn decent amounts of money. Things that are not accessible to them at the moment.
What’s your dream project that you’d love to work on?
Helping developing countries or working on environmental projects with the help of blockchain technology. Helping farmers integrate modern ways of farming. Helping governments track environmental criminals or “”liars. In general, using blockchain technology for the greater good.
I am just a person willing to…
sacrifice my comfort in order to do things more fair, just and efficient. I am also a person willing to help others even if I don’t know them.
